Brief drive: the E350 Bluetec AMG Sport Cabriolet is modern Mercedes-Benz at
its best

If one car sums up what Mercedes-Benz is all about these days, the E350 Cabriolet is, quite possibly, it. It's solid, sensible and practical – as a Merc should be – but has a racy side that's in tune with the more youthful character the brand is keen to promote.

You see, this is a company that now produces everything from a sub-20k hatchback with a 1.5-litre diesel engine to supercar-baiting AMG models that are the "ride" of choice for superstar rappers.

This, the V6 diesel-powered version of the revamped Mercedes E-class cabriolet, sits pretty much bang in the middle of all that.

Mercedes-Benz's E-Class range has been given a sleeker look, and in AMG Sport trim the Cabriolet is positively brimming with bling, including an unusual piece of metal trim at the base of the front bumper that looks like nothing so much as a chrome boomerang. It works somehow, and the curved rear haunches (which the Cabriolet and Coupe retain, but which were smoothed out on saloon and estate models) blend in better as part of the more sinuous look.

Inside, the changes are much more subtle, so there's the same fiddly entertainment system as before and the dashboard remains workmanlike in places. Build quality is top-notch, however, and with a few well-chosen extras (our car came with more than you really need) it feels worthy of its near-£50,000 price.

The driving experience hasn't changed much, but Mercedes-Benz has made some well-judged improvements and in this guise the E-Class is a reassuring, rewarding car to drive. The "Agility Control sports suspension" guarantees smooth progress on all but the worst surfaces, while the steering reacts faithfully and tells you what's going on.

Progress is rapid – surprisingly so, should you wish – thanks to the 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine's huge reserves of torque. It's quiet, too, and although the seven-speed automatic gearbox isn't as silky-smooth as BMW's eight-speed unit, it generally makes the right decision. When this engine is so good, opting for the cheaper but significantly noisier four-cylinder diesel, or a petrol engine, doesn't make much sense.

It's the E-Class Cabriolet's blend of frivolity and practicality that's perhaps most appealing. It's a proper four-seater, and the "Aircap" wind deflector at the top of the windscreen helps to keep buffeting in the cabin to a minimum with the roof down.

Admittedly, the boot is rather small with the roof folded (you can increase its size by pushing the roof container out of the way when it's in place) and Mercedes has the cheek to charge extra (£365) for the Airscarf system that wafts hot air around the neck of those in the front seats.

If you're after a flashy-yet-comfortable four-seater drop-top, however, this should be your first port of call.